Quick Answer
The most useful synonyms of commence are begin and start because they can replace it in many situations. Other alternatives have more specific meanings: initiate suggests starting a process, launch suggests introducing something new, inaugurate suggests an official beginning, and embark on suggests beginning a journey, project, or new phase.
Introduction
Have you ever written a sentence with commencement and wondered, “Is there a simpler or more natural word I can use?”
You are not alone. Commence means to begin or start something, but it has a formal tone. For example, The meeting will commence at 9 a.m. is correct, but The meeting will start at 9 a.m. sounds more natural in everyday English.
The best synonyms of commence depend on your meaning and audience. Begin is a broad, neutral choice. Start is especially common in everyday English. Initiate works well for formal processes, while launch suits products, campaigns, and new projects. Inaugurate adds an official or ceremonial sense.
This guide explains these differences so you can choose the right word instead of simply replacing one word with another.
Pronunciation of Commence
IPA: /kəˈmens/
Pronunciation: kuh-MENS
The spelling and pronunciation are essentially the same in American and British English.
Part of speech: Verb
Register: Formal
Learner level: Advanced, roughly C1-C2 guidance
General frequency: Common, especially in formal writing
What Does Commence Mean?
Commence means to begin something or to begin happening.
It can be used in two main ways:
Transitive use
When something causes an activity to begin:
The company commenced construction.
Intransitive use
When an event or activity itself begins:
Construction commenced in June.
Merriam-Webster defines commence as “to enter upon” or “begin” and notes that it can function both transitively and intransitively. It also describes commence as more formal or bookish than begin or start.
Commence Grammar and Sentence Patterns
Commence + noun
The company commenced operations.
The court commenced proceedings.
Commence + -ing form
She commenced writing the report.
The workers commenced repairing the road.
Commence with + noun
The ceremony commenced with a short speech.
Commence on/at + time or date
The course commences on Monday.
The examination will commence at 10 a.m.
A common mistake
Do not write:
The meeting will commence at nine.
Better:
The meeting will commence at nine.
Or, in natural everyday English:
The meeting will start at nine.
Synonyms of Commence at a Glance
| Synonym | Main meaning | Register | Frequency |
| Begin | Start generally | Neutral | Very common |
| Start | Begin an action or event | Neutral | Very common |
| Initiate | Start a formal process | Formal | Common |
| Launch | Start something new | Neutral/Formal | Common |
| Inaugurate | Officially begin | Formal | Uncommon |
| Embark on | Begin a journey or major project | Formal | Common |
| Open | Begin a meeting, speech, or text | Neutral | Very common |
| Kick off | Begin an event or activity | Informal | Common |
| Start off | Begin a process or activity | Neutral/Informal | Common |
| Get started | Begin doing something | Neutral/Spoken | Very common |
| Get underway | Begin and start progressing | Neutral | Common |
| Set in motion | Cause a process to begin | Formal | Common |
| Set about | Begin working on something | Neutral | Common |
| Get going | Begin moving or acting | Informal | Very common |
| Usher in | Introduce a new period or condition | Formal/Literary | Uncommon |
The 5 Closest Synonyms of Commence
If you need a true general replacement, focus first on:
begin, start, initiate, inaugurate, and usher in.
Merriam-Webster specifically groups these words together while explaining that their nuances differ.
1. Begin
Meaning: To start something or for something to start.
Examples:
- The students will begin their lessons at eight.
- She began writing her essay after lunch.
Best used when: You need a general and flexible alternative.
Tone: Neutral
Register: General, academic, professional, spoken
CEFR guidance: A1-A2
Frequency: Very common
Collocations:
- begin work
- begin a journey
- begin a discussion
Nuance: Begin is probably the safest general replacement for commence.
When not to use it: There are few restrictions, but a more specific verb may be better when you want to show how or why something began.
2. Start
Meaning: To begin an activity, event, process, or action.
Examples:
- The class starts at nine.
- I started working on the report yesterday.
Best used when: You want natural everyday English.
Tone: Neutral
Register: Spoken, general, professional
CEFR guidance: A1
Frequency: Very common
Collocations:
- start work
- start a business
- start a meeting
Nuance: Start is often the most natural choice in conversation. Merriam-Webster notes that begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, but start especially emphasizes the point where action begins.
When not to use it: Avoid it only when the context specifically requires a more precise formal or figurative expression.
3. Initiate
Meaning: To formally cause a process or action to begin.
Examples:
- The company initiated an internal investigation.
- The bank initiated the transfer after receiving approval.
Best used when: A person or organization starts a formal process.
Tone: Formal
Register: Business, legal, academic, technical
CEFR guidance: B2-C1
Frequency: Common
Collocations:
- initiate an investigation
- initiate proceedings
- initiate a process
Nuance: Initiate often focuses on the first step in a process that will continue. Merriam-Webster distinguishes it from the beginning by emphasizing this procedural sense.
When not to use it: Do not use it for ordinary activities such as initiate lunch or initiate my homework.
4. Launch
Meaning: To start something new, often with energy or public attention.
Examples:
- The company launched a new mobile app.
- The charity launched a campaign to support students.
Best used when: Talking about products, campaigns, services, businesses, programs, or initiatives.
Tone: Neutral to formal
Register: Business, marketing, professional
CEFR guidance: B1
Frequency: Common
Collocations:
- launch a product
- launch a campaign
- launch a service
Nuance: Launch suggests a significant or deliberate beginning. American Heritage notes that it can suggest beginning something with energy and expectation.
When not to use it: Do not use it as a universal replacement for commence. A regular class normally starts rather than launches.
5. Inaugurate
Meaning: To officially begin or introduce something.
Examples:
- The mayor inaugurated the new community center.
- The ceremony inaugurated a new period of cooperation.
Best used when: The beginning is official, ceremonial, or significant.
Tone: Formal
Register: Official, academic, literary
CEFR guidance: C1-C2
Frequency: Uncommon
Collocations:
- inaugurate a building
- inaugurate a program
- inaugurate a new era
Nuance: Inaugurate carries more weight than ordinary begin. Merriam-Webster says it suggests a beginning with some formality or significance.
When not to use it: Do not say I inaugurated my homework when you simply mean I started my homework.
Context-Specific Synonyms
6. Embark On
Meaning: To begin a journey, project, career, or important activity.
Examples:
- She embarked on a career in medicine.
- The team embarked on a five-year research project.
Best used when: The beginning feels like the first step in a meaningful journey or undertaking.
Tone: Formal
Register: Academic, professional, literary
CEFR guidance: B2-C1
Frequency: Common
Collocations:
- embark on a journey
- embark on a career
- embark on a project
Grammar: Always remember the preposition:
embark on something
Not:
embark something
Cambridge lists embark on/upon something as a formal alternative related to commencing an activity.
7. Open
Meaning: To begin a meeting, speech, discussion, story, or event.
Examples:
- The chair opened the meeting with a welcome.
- The novel opens with a mysterious scene.
Best used when: You are describing the first part of an event or text.
Tone: Neutral
Register: General
CEFR guidance: A2-B1
Frequency: Very common
Collocations:
- open a meeting
- open a discussion
- open with a question
When not to use it: Open does not replace commence in every context.
8. Kick Off
Meaning: To start an event, activity, campaign, or project.
Examples:
- The festival kicks off on Friday.
- The team kicked off the project with a planning meeting.
Best used when: You want an energetic or conversational tone.
Tone: Informal
Register: Spoken, business, sports
CEFR guidance: B1-B2
Frequency: Common
Collocations:
- kick off a campaign
- kick off a season
- kick off a meeting
When not to use it: Avoid it in very formal legal or official writing.
9. Start Off
Meaning: To begin something, often focusing on its first stage.
Examples:
- The presentation started off with a short video.
- We started off by discussing the main problem.
Best used when: You want to describe the way something begins.
Tone: Neutral/Informal
Register: General, spoken
CEFR guidance: B1
Frequency: Common
Collocations:
- start off with
- start off by
- start off slowly
10. Get Started
Meaning: To begin doing something.
Examples:
- Let’s get started on the assignment.
- The workers got started early in the morning.
Best used when: You want natural conversational English.
Tone: Neutral
Register: Spoken, general
CEFR guidance: A2
Frequency: Very common
Collocations:
- get started on
- get started with
- get started quickly
11. Get Underway
Meaning: To begin and start making progress.
Examples:
- Construction got underway in May.
- The negotiations got underway after lunch.
Best used when: A project, event, construction job, or process begins.
Tone: Neutral
Register: News, business, general
CEFR guidance: B2
Frequency: Common
Collocations:
- get underway
- work gets underway
- negotiations get underway
12. Set in Motion
Meaning: To cause a process or series of events to begin.
Examples:
- The decision set a major investigation in motion.
- Her announcement set several changes in motion.
Best used when: One action causes another process to begin.
Tone: Formal
Register: Business, academic, journalistic
CEFR guidance: B2-C1
Frequency: Common
Collocations:
- set events in motion
- set a process in motion
- set change in motion
Important: This means cause to begin, not simply begin.
13. Set About
Meaning: To begin working on something with purpose.
Examples:
- She set about organizing the documents.
- The engineers set about solving the problem.
Best used when: Someone actively begins a task.
Tone: Neutral
Register: General
CEFR guidance: B2
Frequency: Common
Grammar: Usually followed by -ing:
set about doing something
14. Get Going
Meaning: To begin moving, working, or doing something.
Examples:
- We should get going before sunset.
- Once the meeting got going, everyone shared ideas.
Best used when: You want informal, natural English.
Tone: Informal
Register: Spoken
CEFR guidance: A2-B1
Frequency: Very common
When not to use it: It is not suitable for highly formal documents.
15. Usher In
Meaning: To introduce or mark the beginning of a new period or condition.
Examples:
- The invention ushered in a new era of communication.
- The agreement ushered in a period of peace.
Best used when: A change begins a new era, period, or situation.
Tone: Formal/Literary
Register: Academic, literary, journalistic
CEFR guidance: C1-C2
Frequency: Uncommon
Nuance: This is more figurative than commence. Merriam-Webster describes usher in as somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.
When not to use it: Do not use it for ordinary actions such as usher in my homework.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Use this quick decision guide:
Say start when:
You are speaking naturally.
The movie starts at eight.
Say begin when:
You want a neutral and flexible word.
The lesson begins at eight.
Say commence when:
You need a formal or official tone.
The proceedings will commence at eight.
Say initiate when:
Someone formally starts a process.
The agency initiated an investigation.
Say launch when:
Something new is introduced.
The company launched a new product.
Say inaugurate when:
The beginning is official or ceremonial.
The president inaugurated the new center.
Say embark on when:
Someone begins a major journey, project, or career.
She embarked on a new career.
Say kick off when:
You want informal, energetic language.
The event kicks off tomorrow.
Commonly Confused Words
| Word | Main difference | Example |
| Commence | Formal way to begin | The hearing commenced at noon. |
| Begin | General and flexible | The hearing began at noon. |
| Start | Very common, especially in speech | The hearing started at noon. |
| Initiate | Formally cause a process to begin | They initiated an investigation. |
| Launch | Start something new or significant | They launched a campaign. |
Commence vs Begin
These are often interchangeable.
The meeting commenced at nine.
The meeting began at nine.
The first sounds more formal.
Commence vs Start
Both can mean the same thing, but start is much more natural in everyday conversation.
Commence vs Initiate
Commence focuses on beginning.
Initiate often focuses on taking the first step in a continuing process.
Commence vs Launch
Launch adds the idea of introducing something new or significant.
Commence vs Inaugurate
Inaugurate suggests an official, ceremonial, or important beginning.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake Box
Mistake:
The meeting will commence at ten.
Correction:
The meeting will commence at ten.
Explanation:
Commence already means begin, so to start is unnecessary.
Mistake:
I commenced my homework.
Correction:
I commenced my homework.
More natural:
I started my homework.
Explanation:
The noun homework can follow commence, but my homework is incorrect.
Mistake:
The company commenced on a new product.
Correction:
The company commenced work on a new product.
Or:
The company launched a new product.
Explanation:
Commence does not take on in the same way that embark on does.
Mistake:
She embarked on the project.
Correction:
She embarked on the project.
Explanation:
The standard structure is embark on/upon something.
Register Guide
Choosing the right synonym is partly about tone.
| Word | Spoken | Academic | Business | Legal/Official | Literary |
| Start | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Begin | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Commence | ★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Initiate | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★ |
| Launch | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Inaugurate | ★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Embark on | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Kick off | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ★★★★ | ★ | ★★ |
These are practical register ratings, not statistical measurements.
American vs British English
There is no major spelling difference:
- American English: commence
- British English: commence
The pronunciation is also essentially the same.
One interesting regional point is that Merriam-Webster lists a specifically British sense of commence: to take a degree at a university.
For example, this specialized British use is different from the ordinary meaning “begin.”
Word Origin and Etymology
Commence entered English through French and ultimately derives from Latin forms associated with beginning.
Merriam-Webster traces the word through Middle English and French sources and records its first known use in the 14th century.
The related noun commencement developed from the same word family. In modern American English, commencement can also refer to a university graduation ceremony.
Word Family
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
| commence | Verb | Begin |
| commenced | Verb | Began |
| commencing | Verb form | Beginning |
| commencement | Noun | Beginning; also a graduation ceremony in U.S. English |
| recommence | Verb | Begin again |
Antonyms of Commence
Common opposites include:
- end
- finish
- conclude
- stop
- halt
- terminate
- cease
Examples:
The meeting commenced at nine and concluded at eleven.
Construction commenced in June and ended in December.
Natural Collocations With Commence
Native speakers commonly commence with formal nouns and activities.
Common combinations
- commence proceedings
- commence operations
- commence work
- commence construction
- commence negotiations
- commence an investigation
- commence a search
- commence proceedings
- commence on Monday
- commence at noon
The word often appears in formal announcements, official documents, legal contexts, and professional writing.
Writing Tips for Students and Writers
Essays
Use begins when you want clear academic prose.
The Industrial Revolution began a major period of social change.
Avoid using commence simply to make an essay sound more advanced.
Business emails
Use commence when the message is formal:
The training program will commence on Monday.
But start is perfectly acceptable in a normal workplace email.
Legal writing
Commence proceedings is a well-established formal expression.
Blog writing
Prefer start or begin unless the context requires a formal word.
Simple writing is usually clearer writing.
Stories
Use begin, open, or start off depending on the effect.
The story opens with a strange phone call.
Social media
Use natural conversational language.
The sale starts tomorrow.
Not:
The sale commences tomorrow.
The second sentence is grammatical but unnecessarily formal for most social posts.
Real-World Usage Insight
A useful lesson from major thesaurus resources is that synonym lists should be read as semantic maps, not replacement menus.
Cambridge groups begin and start with words such as embark on, enter upon, open, and get cracking, but its examples show that these expressions operate in different contexts.
Merriam-Webster similarly explains that begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, while initiate, inaugurate, and usher in carry additional shades of meaning.
That is the key vocabulary lesson:
A synonym can share the core meaning without being interchangeable in every sentence.
Mini Practice: Choose the Best Word
Choose from:
begin, start, initiate, launch, inaugurate, embark on, kick off
1.
The company will ______ a new advertising campaign next month.
2.
The investigation was ______ by the government agency.
3.
We should ______ before it gets dark.
4.
She decided to ______ a career in engineering.
5.
The mayor will ______ the new public library.
6.
The class will ______ at nine.
7.
The tournament will ______ on Saturday.
Answers
- launch
- initiated
- start
- embark on
- inaugurate
- begin/start
- kick off
Sentence Rewriting Practice
Replace commence with the most natural alternative.
1.
The lecture will commence at 10 a.m.
Answer: The lecture will begin at 10 a.m.
2.
The company commenced an investigation.
Answer: The company initiated an investigation.
3.
The company commenced its new advertising campaign.
Answer: The company launched its new advertising campaign.
4.
The students commenced their work.
Answer: The students started their work.
5.
The researchers commenced a five-year project.
Answer: The researchers embarked on a five-year project.
FAQ: Synonyms of Commence
What is the best synonym for commence?
The best general synonyms are begin and start. Both can replace commence in many ordinary sentences. However, commence is more formal, while start is especially common in everyday speech. The best choice depends on the tone and context of your sentence.
Is commence a formal word?
Yes. Commence is a formal verb meaning “to begin.” It is common in official notices, legal language, formal business writing, and some academic contexts. In casual conversation, speakers usually prefer to start or begin.
What is the difference between commence and initiate?
Commence means to begin. Initiate often means to formally start a process or take the first step in something that will continue. For example, a meeting can commence, while an organization can initiate an investigation.
Is start a synonym for commence?
Yes. Start is one of the closest synonyms of commence. The main difference is formality. Start is extremely common in everyday English, while commence sounds more formal or bookish. Merriam-Webster states that the two can often be interchangeable.
What is a formal synonym for commence?
Initiate, inaugurate, and embark on can work as formal alternatives, but each has a different nuance. Initiate suits processes, inaugurate suits official beginnings, and embark on suits journeys, careers, and major projects.
Can commence and launch be used interchangeably?
Sometimes, but not always. Launch usually suggests starting something new, significant, or publicly introduced, such as a product, campaign, service, or program. Commence has the broader meaning of simply beginning something.
What is the opposite of commence?
Common antonyms include end, finish, conclude, stop, halt, terminate, and cease. The best choice depends on context. For example, formal writing often pairs commence with conclude: The proceedings commenced at nine and concluded at noon.
Is commence used differently in British and American English?
The ordinary verb is used in both varieties with essentially the same spelling and pronunciation. Merriam-Webster also records a chiefly British meaning of commence: to take a university degree.
Vocabulary Quiz
1. Which is the most natural everyday synonym for commence?
A. Inaugurate
B. Start
C. Usher in
D. Institute
2. Which word best fits a formal investigation?
A. Initiate
B. Kick off
C. Get going
D. Start off
3. Which word best fits a new product?
A. Embark on
B. Launch
C. Conclude
D. Halt
4. Which expression suggests beginning a major journey or career?
A. Open
B. Trigger
C. Embark on
D. Activate
5. Which word suggests an official or ceremonial beginning?
A. Start
B. Get going
C. Inaugurate
D. Kick off
Answer Key
- B. Start
- A. Initiate
- B. Launch
- C. Embark on
- C. Inaugurate
Final Takeaway: Which Word Should You Remember?
If you remember only five words, remember these:
Start → everyday English
Begin → general and flexible
Commence → formal beginning
Initiate → formal process
Launch → new product, campaign, or initiative
The most important lesson is not to memorize dozens of synonyms. Learn the difference in context. That will make your writing more natural and precise.
Learning the synonyms of commence can improve essays, emails, professional communication, vocabulary, and everyday English. Try using one new word today, then notice how native speakers use it in real sentences.
References
- Merriam-Webster: Commence
Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Merriam-Webster: Commence Synonyms
Merriam-Webster Thesaurus - Cambridge Dictionary: Commence
Cambridge Dictionary - Cambridge Thesaurus: Commence
Cambridge Thesaurus - Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries: Commence
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries - Online Etymology Dictionary: Commence
Online Etymology Dictionary
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